BU Emergency Instructions
These instructions serves as a quick reference in the event of an emergency. Refer to the appropriate section for relevant information. For additional information on safety policies or procedures, contact Environmental Health and Safety at (617) 358-7840 (BUMC) or (617) 353-4094 (CRC), or visit www.bu.edu/ehs. Download a PDF of the instructions here. If you would like to report a near miss or an incident, please click here.
Fire Response | Evacuation
-
R.A.C.E. if you detect smoke or fire
-
Rescue people from the fire scene of fire
-
Alert other staff, call 911 then #2 above to report location and details.
-
Confine by closing doors and windows.
-
Extinguish/Evacuate only if safe or to escape a large fire. Evacuate building. Report to department rally point. Do NOT use elevators.
-
For special assistance, evacuate to nearest stairwell, and notify emergency responders.
For more information regarding fire safety please visit the EHS Fire Safety Page.
Injuries | Medical Emergencies | Exposures
-
Call #2 above for medical assistance
-
Find defibrillators at maps.bu.edu >> Campus >> Safety >> AEDs
-
For minor injuries:
- Students: Student Health Services | 617-353-3575
- 881 Commonwealth Ave.
- Employees: Occupational Health Center | 617-353-6630
- 930 Commonwealth Ave, #1200
- Employee injury reporting, Conduent @ 1-(833)-951-2415
- Students: Student Health Services | 617-353-3575
-
Report lab-related injuries/exposures by calling #3 above, Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) | 617-414-ROHP (7647). 72 E. Concord St., Evans 825
Hazardous Materials Spill
-
Notify personnel and isolate the area.
-
Contain the spill if safe to do so.
-
Protect nearby drains.
-
Call #1 to report the spill
Do not attempt to clean unknown chemicals, large spills, highly hazardous spills, or any spill that could result in adverse exposure. More information regarding how to handle spills can be found on the EHS spills page.
Utilities Failure
-
Call #1 above to alert of utilities failure
-
Elevator: If trapped, call #1 above from telephone.
-
Electric: Plug essential equipment into red power outlets; unplug all non-essential equipment
-
Water: Call #1 Alternate water sources will be provided as necessary.
Workplace Violence | Active Shooter
Follow S.A.F.E.
- Secure your area.
- Alert by calling #2
- Follow directions of emergency responders.
- Exit when directed.
Active Shooter – Run, Hide, Fight
- Run: Escape if possible.
- Hide: Find place out of sight, lock door, barricade entrance, silence phones.
- Fight (last resort): Act aggressively, do not hesitate.
In order to keep yourself and others safe, always remember: SEE SOMETHING….SAY SOMETHING
Suspicious Package | Bomb Threat
Suspicious Package
- Do not touch or disturb object
- Call #2 above. Provide as much information as possible
- Prepare to evacuate
Emailed Bomb Threat
- Leave the message open on your device and Call #2
- Print, screenshot, or copy the message sand subject line. Note the date and time.
Telephoned Bomb Threat
- Remain calm & DO NOT HANG UP.
- Record the conversation if possible
- Signal other staff members to listen and have them call #2
- Write down the number
- Record exact wording of the threat
- Keep caller on the line for as long as possible.
- Fill out the bomb threat checklist ASAP.
- Be available for interviews with the building’s emergency response team and law enforcement.
Weather Emergencies
-
Any weather-related event that may affect normal university operations may activate the BU Emergency Response Plan.
-
Information will be relayed via BU Website | BU Today | BU Alert
-
Speak to your supervisor about departmental coverage.
